Automatic water softener



Feb. 3, 1948. A. RlCHE 2,435,366

AUTOMATIC WATER SOFIENER Filed Jan. 27, 19:4 :5 SheetsSheet 1 sERy/c E WASTE Feb. 3, 1948.

A. RICHE AUTOMATIC WATER SOFTENER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 27, 1934 A. L. RICHE Feb. 3, 1948.

AUTOMATIC WATER SOFTE'NER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 27, 1934 w wnww Patented Feb. 3, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC WATER SOFTENER Arthur L. Riche, Rockford, 111., assignor to Automatio Pump & Softener Corporation, Rockford, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application January 2?. 1934, Serial No. 708,589

4 Claims. (Cl. 210-24) This invention relates to water softeners of the base exchange type and has particular reference to automatic and semi-automatic water softeners wherein regeneration may be automatically ini tiated and the softener controlled through a part or all of its cycle from the character of the effiuent water.

In the past, automatic and so-called semiautomatic water softeners have been set into regeneration upon the passage of a certain amount of water through the softener, the water being measured by a meter. The various steps or phases of the regeneration cycle have been commonly carried out by meter or time controls. This method of operation is objectionable in that the softener is set into regeneration upon the passage of a predetermined quantity of water regardless of whether or not the bed of base exchange material has become exhausted. Thus, when the water decreases in hardness below that used in the-calculations for setting the meter, regenera- .tion occurs prior to exhaustion of the bed, and,

likewise, when the hardness of the water increases, the softener ceases to function in softening the water, prior to regeneration. Either hard water appears in the efiiuent line or salt is unnecessarily wasted through regenerating too soon. It is also well known that the volume of water softened by a zeolite softener between any two regenerations varies materially even under apparently identical conditions, which variable performance cannot be cared for by meter control. Time controls for controlling the steps of the regeneration cycle are generally equally ineificient, as for example, during the brine intake step. brine may be lost by an excessive amount passing through and out of the softener into the drain before the brine intake valve is closed. Similarly, during the washing step, the period of time or alternatively the amount of water required to completely Wash the brine from the mineral may vary, and, as a consequence, soft water may be wasted if the washing is excessive or the softener may be returned to service before the mineral is completely washed, so that brine is carried into the soft water system.

An object of the invention is to provide a water softener wherein the efiluent water is subjected to test and regeneration is brought about in response to test.

A further object of the invention is to provid an automatic water softener wherein the eflluent water is subjected to test and the several steps of the cycle are automatically carried out in response to such tests.

Another object of'the invention is to provide a softener wherein the effluent water is subjected to a test for hardness and the regeneration is automatically initiated in response to the presence of hardness in the softener efliuent.

I have also aimed to provide a water softener having means for initiating regeneration dependent upon the opacity produced in the efiluent of the softener by the addition of a reagent capable of producing a precipitate or coloration with the hardness producing constituents of the water.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a water softener having light sensitive means for initiating regeneration and for controlling one or more steps of the regeneration cycle.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a water softener wherein a light sensitive cell serves in the testing of the effluent water for hardness and in which means are provided for actuating the softener when the effluent reaches a predetermined hardness.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a water softener wherein a signal is automatically emitted when the eiiluent water reaches a predetermined hardness, the regeneration being manually initiated, and other steps of the regeneration cycle being controlled through automatic testing of the softener eiiiuent.

Another object of the invention is to provide a water softener having means for automatically testing the efiiuent during the regeneration cycle of the softener to determine when the brine has passed through the softener and for initiating action or the valves in response to said test.

A further object is to provide a softener where in the wash water is tested for brine residue and the valves are operated in response to said test to return the softener to service.

Another object of the invention is to provide a softener wherein the effluent is tested for brine and the valves thereof. are actuated in response to a predetermined concentration of brine, to regulate the volume of saturated brine used at each regeneration.

Still another object of the invention is to pro-v vide improved means for controlling the addition of brine to the softener.

Another aim of the invention is to provide improved means for controlling the amount of saturated brine used at each regeneration.

Another object of the invention is. the provision of means for varying the concentration of the brine used for regeneration, dependent upon the capacity of the mineral.

I have further aimed to provide a water sofaeaaaec tener wherein the eifluent is periodically tested and wherein the period between tests is automatically varied during different phases of the regeneration cycle.

v 1 A still further object of the invention is to showing the control valve and operating mechanism;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, central vertical section through the observation cell;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the test screen and switch, showing their positions relative to the observation cell, and

Fig. 7 is a, wiring diagram of electric apparatus suitable for carrying out my invention.

The invention contemplates the provision of a water softener of the base exchange type wherein the regeneration cycle is carried out automatically and is initiated upon the appearance of hardness in the eflluent of the softener, or alternatively by a switch arranged to be manually operated after the emission of a signal indicating that regeneration is required. Testing means are provided for automatically testing the eiiluent of the softener for hardness and for initiating operation of signal means or of a motor, upon the appearance of hardness, the motor serving to bring the softener into the first step of its regeneration or alternatively the motor may be manually initiated in response to the signal. The invention further contemplates means for testing the eilluent of the softener during the brine intake phase of regeneration soa to determine when the incoming brine has passed through the bed of zeolite and appears in the effluent line of the softener, and means regulating the amount of saturated brine required to be fed to the softener from the brine tank before brine appears in the efiluent to adjust the mechanism for minerals of different capacity. At this point, in response to the testing mechanism, the brine intake is cutoff. The softener is also provided with means for testing the efiuent from the softener during the rinse step to determine when the mineral has been completely washed and the eflluent is free from brine residue whereupon the mechanism returns the valves to the service position by energizing the valve actuating motor.

The invention may be embodied with any of the numerous well known automatic water softeners, and I have herein shown it embodied with the essential features of a water softener shown and described in- U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,713,105, issued May 14, 1929, to V. L. Tannehill. Referring first to Figure 1, I have shown, for purpose of illustration, mechanism having a softener tank, designated generally by the numeral 8, provided with a water inlet pipe 9 and a water outlet the numeral II, has an inlet pipe I! and an outlet pipe l4. Raw water enters the system through a pipe I 5, passes through a valve l6, and enters the bottom of the softener through the pipe 9. The efliuent water from the softener normally passes through the pipe II and the valve ll into the service line 58. A. series ofcams I 9, 2|, 22, and 23 control the flow of water through the softener system during the various phases of its operation and are driven from a valve operating unit 24, presently to be described, through a shaft 25. Alternatively the flow of liquids in the system may be controlled by a multiple port valve such 1 as shown and described in U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,661,675. March 6, 1928, to V. C. Norquist,

, the valve being driven from the shaft 25.

While I have herein disclosed an upfiow softener, the invention contemplates both upfiow and downflow softeners, and combinations thereof, and the mechanism may be readily modified to control the same.

In Figure 1, the valves and cams are shown in the service position, a cam portion 26 of the cam l9 having contacted the cam follower 2? of the valve H to open this valve. Likewise, a, cam follower 28 of the valve l6 rides on a cam surface 29 of the cam 2|, retaining this valve in the open pipe II. A brine tank, designated gener lly by .1!

position. When the shaft 25 is given a quarter turn to rotate the cams in the direction of the arrow, the cam followers 21 and 28 of the valves 51 and I6 ride ofl the cam portions 2E and 29. Si multaneously, the cam followers 3! and 32 of valves 33 and 34 ride onto cam portions 36 and 35, opening the valves 33 and 34. Thereupon, raw Water passes from the pipe l5 through the valve 34 and the 'line it into the top of the brine tank l2, displacing brine from the tank which flows through the outlet pipe it through a, check valve 31 and the pipe 9, into the bottom of the softener tank 8. Brine rises in the softener tank 8 to the top of the tank, the water normally contained therein being forced out through the pipe It, the valve 33, and a waste pipe 38'to the drain. The shaft 25 is then given another quarter turn, whereupon each of the valves l6, i1, 33, and 34 will be closed, allowing time for the reaction between the salt and the mineral in the .softener tank 8. Upon a lapse of a predetermined time for this reaction to occur, the shaft 25 is given a further quarter turn, whereupon the cam followers 28 and 3! of valves I8 and 33, respectively, ride onto the cam portions 29 and 39, opening the valves. Raw water then flows from the pipe l5 through valve I6 and line 9 into the bottom of the softener tank 8 rinsing the brine from this tank through the line i I, valve 83. and waste pipe 38 to drain. The shaft 25 is then given another quarter turn, bringing the valves into the position shown in Figure 1 and returning the softener to service. Manually operated valves 60, 4|, 42. and 43 may be provided in the softener system, if desired, for the purpose or manually shutting off the flow for repairs or other purposes.

In the present embodiment ofmy invention, I provide a small pipe 44 connected to the line to receive efiluent water from the softener tank .8. The pipe 44 delivers a small portion of the auaaoo is disposed with its axis horizontal. Other shapes of cells may, however, be used, and in different positions, and I do not intend to be limited to any particular shape. The ends of the cell 45 are provided with double lenses 48 arranged to transmit light from a. suitable source 49 through the sample and to a light sensitive cell 50, or other element responsive to a change in radiant energy brought about by the absorption characteristics of the sample in the cell 45. The dead air space between the lenses serves as heat insulation to prevent formation of dew on the outer lens surface which might. change thelight transmitting characteristics of the lenses. The light sensitive cell 50 may, if desired, be enclosed in a metallic shield I, having an opening 52 to receive the light passing through the lenses 48, the shield serving to exclude extraneous light. This shield is connected to ground and prevents a change in calibration of the circuit with a. shifting of ground from one side of the power supply circuit to the other side. I have also found it advantageous. under certain circumstances, to enclose the testing mechanism in a box or hood 5| a to further exclude extraneous light and humid air which might deposit dew on the observation cell lenses. As shown in Fig. 4, the incoming water from the pipe M is directed downward from the top of the cell 35 near one end and the outgoing water passes upward near the opposite end through the pipe ll. By this arrangement, the entire contents of the cell is changed or replaced quickly without leaving pockets which might retain the reagent or portions of a previously tested sample.

A suitable reagent for use in testing the sample in the cell it is introduced into said cell through a pipe 53 which extends spirally around the cell and communicates therewith through a series of small openings iii. The inflowing reagent from the openings 54 is directed into the lower periphery of the cell 35 and in such a direction as to produce a maximum of agitation with resulting thorough mixing of the reagent and sample to be tested. The reagent pipe 53 has a. check valve 55 and is supplied with the reagent from a pump 56. This pump is in turn supplied with the reagent through a pipe 5'I extending to a reservoir 58, a check valve 59 being provided in the pipe 5? to allow flow only toward the pump. A piston rod SI for operating the piston in the pump 55 is connected to one end of a rocker arm 62 having a pivotal support 63 at its opposite end. The piston is normally drawn downward within the pump 56 by a coiled spring 64 connected to the arm 62 and the pump is actuated by an electric motor 65. The motor is arranged to drive, through suitable speed reducing gears within the motor casing, shafts 66 and El, the two running at the same speed and in the same sense. Fixed on the end of the shaft 56 is a cam 68 disposed in operative relation to a roller 69 on the arm 62. The cam Gills formed. with a projection-ll pivot I8 as a fulcrum, and in such a position that the pin II is retained in the path of the dill from which the roller 69 drops abruptly when the shaft 56 is rotated in the direction indicated by an arrow in Fig. 2 so that in the arrangement shown, the pump 55 is operated to inject a quantity of reagent once during each complete revolution of the shaft 66.

To periodically actuat the valve 46 a cam iii is fixed on the shaft 61 and formed with a projection Iii. A pin is disposed on a lever arm ii in the path of the projection I5 and a spring within the casing of the valve 46 normally holds it in closed position. The valve stem engages the arm ii to urge it upward, with a supporting projection IS. A suitable bracket I9 is secured to the valve 48 to support the arm ll. Thus, the valve 46 is held in open position when the pin I6 is in engagement with the projection I5, as shown in Fig. 3 and is closed when the shaft 61 is rotated to remove said projection from the pin 18.

Suitable electric control circuits and apparatus are provided for indicating changes in the light absorption characteristics of the sample such as changes in turbidity or color of the sampl in the cell 45 and for actuating the valves of the softener, as shown in Fig. '7. The motor 65 is of United States Letters Patent.No. 1,078,439 to Charles B. Hofl'man for Repulsion motor control system, dated November 11, 1913. The motor 65 is carried in a, housing to and operates through reduction gearing within the housing to drive the valve it in the water sample line, the reagent pump 58 and electrical switch cam designated generally by the numerals BI, 82, 83, and 8d. The numeral 8.5 designates the heating element of a thermal timer and the numeral 86 designates the bi-metallic blade thereof. The numerals ill and W designate the contact points adapted to be contacted by the blades 86 upon cooling thereof, the blades moving away from these contact points upon being heated by the element 85. The contact point 58 is located so that it will contact the bar d5 before the contact point 81, it being yieldingly mounted so that the movement of bar at will not be materially retarded by the pressure of contact between 88 and 86. The numerals 89 and SI designate the two power supply lines for supplying power to the mechanism. 92 is an adjustable rheostat adapted to function in the calibration of the testin mechanism in a manner presently to be described. 93 and a l are switches adapted to be actuated upon rotation of the cam elements 83 and 84. 95 and 95 indicate brushes adapted to be contacted by the cams 8! and I32 at predetel mined positions in the rotation of the latter. BI is a conventional amplifying tube. 98 is a transformer for supplying low voltage to the tube filament. 99 is a high resistance and IOI is a condenser of small capacity. I02 is a relay in the plate circuit of the tube at having a coil I03, a switch element IM and upper and lower contacts I835 and M8. The relay has a return spring IIlI adjustable by means of a thumb screw I08. I09 is a relay in the plate circuit of the tube 91 having a coil III, a switch element II? and a single contact II3, a spring II E serving to return the element I I2, and a thumb screw II5 serving to adjust the tension of the spring H5. H6 is an ammeter in the plate circuit of the tube 97. III is a switch, presently to be described more in detail, for the purpose of cutting off the supply of current to the motor 65 and to the valve actuating motor to calibrate the testing mechanism. H8 is a motor for actuating the valve operating cams and is normally housed in the casing 24, the motor serving to drive the shaft 25. IIQ, IZI, I23, I23, IM, and I25 are cams on the shaft of the motor IIB. I26, I21, I28, I29, I3I, and I32 are brushes adapted to contact the cams IIS, and IQI through I25 during a portion of each revolution thereof. I33 is the heating element of a thermal timer having a bi-metal blade I34 adapted to move toward and away from a contact point I35, heating of the blade causing the repulsion type, such as that described in the mineral.

'2 the same to contact the point I33 and close the circuit therethrough. I38 is a switch arranged to be positioned in either a closed position, as shown in Fig. 7, or an open position. I31 is a relay rendered operative only when the switch I96 occupies its open positiomthe relay having switch elements I38 and I39, return springs MI and I42 and contacts I43 and I44. I45 is a signal lamp and I66 is a push button having contacts I t! and I48 adapted to be closed by manual operation of the button to start the motor 1 H from any of its positions.

Operation 1 that sufficient brine will have been supplied to the softener mineral when brine appears at the eilluent, either of two methods may be employed.

First, the amount of free board in the softener may be adjusted dependent .upon the capacity of This method is, however, only appllcabl to upfiow softeners. Secondly, a by-pass such as shown at I2, connecting the pipes I3 and I4, may be used having a valve I4, adjustable to regulate the flowthrough the by-pass. Under such circumstances, the softener tank is made sufficiently large to care for the mineral of highest capacity and for minerals of lower capacity the concentration of the brine is regulated by adjusting the valve 14.

In Fig. 7, the parts are shown in, their respective positions when the testing mechanism is at point between successive tests, the valves of the water softener are in a service position and the switch I36 is closed. Soft water from the tank 8 is flowing through the observationcell 45 of the testing mechanism and the blade 88 is cooling. The blade 86 will first come against the contact point 88 at which time nothing will occur, this contact point serving a, purpose presently to be more fully described. Upon continued cooling of the blade 86, the contact point 88 will be moved by the blade, permitting the latter to come into contact with the contact point 81 in due course. Thereupon the circuit through the rotor of the motor 65 will be closed through the contact point 81, the conductor I49, the brush 98, the cam 82', and conductors I50 and I5I, to start the motor 85. The brush 90 and cam 82 remain in contact until the brush'95 engages the cam 8|, whereupon the latter hold the circuit through the rotor of the motor throughout the remainder of the revolution .of the cam 3|. The motor then continues to run until the cams 8|, 82, 83, and 84 have made one complete revolution. During the initial rotation of the cams, the supply of water to the observation chamber 45' is cut off by operation of the valve 46 and the reagent is injected into the sample by operation of the pump-56. Subsequently, and upon the lapse of a predetermined time, the cam 89 engages the switch member 93, closing the switch and energizing the lamp 49, the photo-electric cell 50 and the amplifying tube 91, current flowing from the power supply line 89 through the switch I I1, conductor I52, the switch 93, and a conductor I53. Upon closure of the switch 93, a test of the fluid in the observation cell 45 is effected, light passing from the lamp 49 through the sample to the photo-electric cell 50. Upon closing the switch 93, current also passes through the heating element 88. from the conductor I 58 through the conductor I54, the element 85, and the conductors I55, I59, and I5! to the power supply line 9|. When the light passes thmugh the sample in the observation cell 45. if no precipitate or coloration has been produced in the sample by the addition of reagent thereto, sufilcient light passes through the sample and reaches the photo-electric cell 50 to cause the latter to put a negative bias on the grid of the amplifying tube 91 sufficient to prevent appreciable flow of current from the plate circuit through the relays I02 and I09. The relays are adjusted so that this amount of current is insuiiicient to pick up the relays and cause the closing of the switch elements I04 or H2. The amount of this current in the plate circuit, which is a measure of the opacity of the sample may be visually read on the ammeter H3. If desired, this ammeter may be a recording ammeter to give a permanent record of the condition of successive samples. Under the conditions just described, the cams 8I-84 will complete their revolution without starting or in any way affecting the motor II8 of the valves of the softener, and the motor 85 and associated cams willbe repositioned for the next successive test by the brush 96 engaging the cam 82 and. the brush 95 becoming disengaged from the cam 8| However, during the above mentioned test, suppose that a positive indication had occurred as indicated by the formation of a precipitate in the water of the observation cell 45 upon the addition of reagent thereto. This situation would corre spond to the appearance of hardness in the eilluent of the water softener. Under such circumstances the output of the photo-electric cell-50 would be decreased as a, result of the decreased light incident thereon, thus decreasing the nega- 40 tive bias on the grid of the amplifying tube as a result of which the current in the plate circuit would increase. When the opacity of the sample in the cell 45 reaches a predetermined point, the current in the plate circuit will be sufficient to pick up the relay I02. The amount of current required to accomplish this may be adjusted by adjusting the tension on the retractor spring I0'I of the relay I02.

'I'headjustments of the two relays I02 and I09 are such that a slight reduction of light passing through the sample increases theoutput of the plate circuit suflicient to pick up relay I02 while I09 remain open. Further reduction in the light passing through the observation cell causes the relay I09 to pick up, the switch element I I2 contacting the point I I3. Thus, when slightly hard water appears in the observationbell only the relay I02 will pick up in response to the test.

When the relay I02 picks up in response to hardness appearing in the observation cell, the switch element I 04 is drawn into contact with the contact point I05 closing the rotor circuit of the motor I-I8 through the switch element I04, the

I21, the cam I2I, a conductor I59, the switch I36, and conductors I8I, I82, I63, I84, and IE5, Itwill be noted that as soon as cam II9 engages the brush I26 the circuit through the rotor of the motor I I8 will remain closed throughout 01 rotation bringing a new relation of cams I 2I- I25 to their respective brushes. This 90 rotation.

of the motor rotates the shaft 25 through 90 and causes the cams 22 and 23 to open the valves 33 and 34, the valves I 8 and I! being closed by the cams 2I and I9. This admits brine to the softener tan]: and starts regeneration of the base exchange material in the softener 8. Simultaneously, the motor cam I22 is brought into contact with the brush I28.

In the meantime, tests are being conducted on the effluent from the softener at intervals determined by the rate of cooling of the blade 86. It will be plain that the interval between tests may be adjusted as desired or as required to meet the particular conditions by changing the relative position of B6 and 88. The motor II8 having turned through 90, the softener is in the brine intake position and brine is being admitted into the bottom of the softener tank 8, the water in the tank being displaced. When all of the water has been displaced from the tank 8 and brine appears in the eilluent, the sample of eiliuent received in the observation cell 35 for test will react with the reagent injected therein to form a precipitate which will materially obstruct the passage of light through the observation cell. When this occurs the negative bias of thetube 91 is insufficient to hold the plate current down and the relay I will pick up, causing the switch element II2 to contact the contact point H3. This closes the rotor circuit of the motor through the conductors I63, I65. H56, the switch element I I2, the contact point I 53, the conductor I61, the brush I28, the cam I22, and the conductor I62. Thereupon the motor H8 rotates the cam shaft through a second 90, simultaneously moving the valve operating cam to the soaking position, in which all of the valves are closed. Thus, the volume of brine entering the softener is controlled by testing for the arrival of a predetermined concentration of brine at the outlet of the softener tank. In this position, cam I23 contacts the brush I29 and cam I25 contacts brush I32. The latter contact causes current to flow through the heatin element tea and warm blade I34 until it contacts the point 935, closing the rotor circuit of the motor H8 through a conductor I68, the blade I34, the point I35, the conductor I69, the brush I29, the cam H3, and the conductor I62, whereupon the motor M8 rotates the cam shaft through a further 90 angle, indexing the valve cams to the washing position and causing Valves l6 and 33 to open, leaving valves I1 and 34 closed, This allows water to how upwardly through the softener tank 8 and out of the top through the eiliuent line I I and valve 33 to waste. The length of the soaking period is thus determined by the time required for the element I33 to cause the blade te to contact the conductor I35.

The motor iIB has now rotated through 270 from its starting position, and the cams I24 and I25 are in contact with the brushes I3I and I 32 respectively. The latter contact being made, the heating element I33 continues to heat the blade I36 and maintain it in contact with the conductor E35. As a result of this contact, closing of the circuit between the blade 85 and the contact point 83 will cause actuation of the motor 55 by closing the circuit through the rotor of the motor 65 through the contact point 88, conductors Ill and IE9, the point 535, the switch blade I34, the conductors I58, I63, I64, I49, brush 96, the cam 82, and the conductors r50 and HI. Since the distance required to be traveled by the blade 85 in 10 secured. Contact of the cam I24 with the brush I3I places control of the next movement of the motor II8 onto the contact point I06 of the relay I02.

Where in the specification and claims I have used the term brine, the term is intended to mean a concentrated salt solution such as used for regeneration and the term brine residue is intended to mean that portion of the brine, or of the reaction products of brine with the mineral, contained in the wash water duringthe washing steps.

Tests will now be conducted with much greater frequency than when soft water is passing throughthe observation cell. If the sample during any of these tests contains an appreciable amount of brine residue, a reaction will occur with the reagent injected therein and a stoppage of light will result in the observation cell. This reaction is primarily between the reagent and the calcium and magnesium salts resulting from the reaction of the brine and the mineral. When these salts are eliminated from the bed, the sodium chloride will necssarily have been eliminated because of its greater solubility. However,

thesalt commonly used for regeneration usually contains suflicient calcium and magnesium as impurities to give a reaction with the reagent of sufficient sensitivity that the test may .also be used to indicate the substantial elimination of sodium chloride. As a result of this stoppage of light, upon closing of switch 93 by cam 83, switch element iilfl of the relay 802 will be lifted, breaking contact with the contact point Hi6. Subsequent to this action, switch 94 is closed by cam 64, completing the circuit through the rotor of the motor H8 except for the open contact IIIG. However, when the sample passing through the observation cell 55 is sufficiently cleared of brine residue so that no appreciable stoppage of light occurs upon the injection or the reagent, the selay I02 will no longer pick up and the switch element I04 will remain in contact with the contact point It. As a result, when the switch 94 is closed, the circuit through the rotor of the motor H8 will be closed through the contact point I06, 9. conductor M2, the switch 9%, a conductor I13, the brush Hi, the cam I24, the conductors I62, Q63, 8% and I65, and the switch element lllfl, whereupon the motor II8 will rotate through the final of its movement, rotating the valve cam to close the valve 33 and open the valve H. The mechanism is then returned to the position shown in Fig. 7. Attention is directed to the fact that the cam 85 closes the switch 94 later than the cam 83 closes the switch 93, and likewise the cam 84 opens the switch before the cam 83 opens the switch 93, thus synchronizing the operation of the switch 86 with the operation of the relay H32.

Attention is now directed to the operation of the softener when the switch I35 occupied its open position. This position of the switch causes the softener to operate in what has come to be called a semi-automatic manner, wherein the operator is given a signal when the softener becomes exhausted and is then required to start the regeneration cycle manually, whereupon the softener proceeds automatically through its regeneration cycle. This type of operation has the advantage that the supply of soft water is not shut off unexpectedly by regeneration.

When the switch I 36 is open and hardness greater than the predetermined amount appears in the efiluent, the test will cause relay I02 to function as described above, contacting switch element IM with point lot, causing current to flow from the rotor of motor III through the coil of the relay I 81 by conductors I62, IBI, I58, cam I2I, brush I21, conductor I88, contact point I05, element I04, and conductors I85, I65 and I83. The coil of the relay I31 is of such number of turns and resistance that sumcient current passes through it to pick up the switch elements I38 element I39 and contact point I44 and supplies power to the lamp I45 from the power line 9| by the conductor I15, the switch element I 39, the

contact I44, the conductor I16 and the switch II1 from the power line 88. The illumination of the lamp I45 indicates that the softener is exhausted and should be regenerated. Manual closing of push-button contacts I41 and I48 starts the motor I I8, current flowing through the conductors I I 62, IBI, the contacts I41 and I48, and conductor I68. The push-button must be held in contact long enough for the cam I I9 to contact the brush I26 after which contact the motor II8 will continue to run and rotate its cam shaft through 90, as previously described. Contacting of the push-button I46 also short circuits the winding of the relay I31 thus causing'the release of the switch element I38 and breaking of the contact between said switch and the contact point I 43 so that upon the release of said push-button the relay I31 will be found deenergized. From this point-on, the various steps 'of drawing brine,- soaking, rinsing, and return to service are accomplished exactly as previously described.

Attention is now directed to Fig. 6, wherein a part of the calibration means is shown. This consists of a screen I11 which may be carried on a switch lever I1l, if desired, and arranged to actuate the switch element II1 shown in Fig.

7. It will be understood, however, that the screen I and switch may be, carried independently, if desired, and this has been found to be advisable under certain circumstances. The switch lever I18 is arranged to be manually moved between a position in which the screen or filter I11 rests across the end of the observation cell and a position which does not interfere wtih the passage of light through the observation cell. In the latter position the switch element II1 makescontact between the power supply line 89 and the conductor I 52, whereas in the former position contact is made between the power supply line 89 and a' conductor I19 leading to the variable resistance 92. Filter I11 is a filter and is sufii- "icently opaque to reproduce the opaqueness of the turbidity or color at which the operator desires the relay I02 to pick up. The variable resistance 92 is regulated to adjust the intensity of the lamp 49 so that the relay I02 will pick up at the opacity or color represented by the filter I11. The switch element II1 permits the motor to be thrown out of operation during the'test period. By changing the density of the filter I11 the lamp intensity can be easily adjusted so relay I02 will'pick up at any desired opacity or color.

pbviously, the frequency of the tests and the l2 period between the segregation of the sample and the closing of the test circuit may be varied between wide limits without departing from the spirit of my invention. In the case of water in which hardness is approximately one-third due to magnesium salt, and two-thirds due to calcium salt, I have found that one minute between the injection of reagent and finishof the test gives closer and more accurate results than is is required commercially. Where waters higher in magnesium are to be tested, this time interval may be increased by changing the gear ratio between motor 65 and its cam shaft or by shifting cams 83 and 86 to cause switches 93 and 94 to contact later in the cycle.

I have found that a suitable reagent for use in testing thehardness of water is a standard solution of a potassium salt of a non-volati1e, fatty acid (of which corn oil has been found preferable), held in permanent solution by the addition of a sugar or glycerol and filtered at a low temperature.

My device affords either automatic or manual means for bringing about regeneration of the softener immediately upon the appearance of hard water in the efiluent, that is, upon the exhaustion of the mineral. Furthermore, the mechanism is such that the softener may be thrown into regeneration or a signal emitted upon the appearance in the eflluent of any predetermined degree of hardness. Regeneration need not necessarily be initiated at a slight degree of hardness, but may be initiated when the hardness progresses to an appreciable extent.

Attention is also directed to the fact that I have provided means whereby the introduction of brine into the softener is stopped as soon as brine of predetermined concentration appears in the eiiluent line of the softener. This insures the softener tank being full of brine during the soaking step with no danger of waste in the amount of salt used in regenerating the softener.

I have also provided means for returning the softener to service at the earliest possible moment by testing the wash water for brine residue and automatically initiating the return of the softener to service when the concentration of brine in the wash water reaches a predetermined amount. This has the efiect. of insuring that the washing has progressed sufliciently for soap economy and for freedom from ill efiects when the water is used in a boiler, artificial ice plant, or elsewhere, and likewise insures that the softening mineral will not be over-washed, thus necessarily exhausting the mineral and wasting water.

It will be observed that my device serves not only to test for the appearance of brine in the effluent line of the softener during the brine intake step but, by the adjustment of the return spring of relay I 09, permits a test for a definite concentration of brine at this point, which test represents a valuable advantage.

Another improved advantage of 'my construction lies in the fact that at two stages I am enabled to test for the appearance of predetermined opacity of the samples in the observation cell, and at another stage of the operation I am likewise enabled to test for the reduction or the disappearance of opacity in the sample, and that a,ess,see

of pick-up 'so that difierent operations may be I caused to take place as a result of a dliference in the degree of opacity in the sample.

While I have thus described and illustrated a specific embodiment of my invention, it will be evident that numerous changes and alterations may be made within the spirit of the invention and I do not wish to be limited except as required by the prior art and the scope of the appended claims, in which I claim:

1. The combination in a base exchange water softener, of a softening tank, valve means for controlling the flow of water and brine to and from said tank, light sensitive testing means for testing the eiiluent from said tank by measuring the stoppage of light caused by the addition of a reagent to the eflluent, means for driving said valve means in response to said test, and means for calibrating said testing means including a light filter for producing a known stoppage of light, the filter being manually movable to operative position, switch means for disconnecting said valve driving means, and means for manually adjusting the intensity of the light passing through said filter.

2. The combination in a base exchange water softener, of a brine tank, a softener tank of a size to hold sufllcient saturated brine to regenerate a charge of mineral of maximum capacity, valve means for controlling the flow of water and brine to and from the softener tank, means for testing the eiiluent of said softener tank for brine, means for moving said valve means upon 4 1 14 the appearance of brine in the emuent, and means for varying the concentration of brine admitted to the softener tank, dependent upon the capacity of the mineral.

3. The combination in a base exchange water softener, of a softening tank, valve means for controlling the flow of brine to said softening tank, and the flow of efiluent therefrom, electrical relay means for controlling the operation of said valve means, light sensitive means for actuating said relay to operate said valve means when brine appears in the eilluent to stop the flow of brine to said tank, and means for adlusting said-electrical relay means to preselect the value of the brine concentration at which said valve means is operated.

4. The combination in a base exchange water softener, of a softening tank, valve means for controlling the flow of brine and water to said softener tank and the flow of effluent therefrom, electrical means for controlling the operation of said valve means, an energizing circuit for said electrical means, means for producing opacity in I said eflluent proportionate to certain characteristics thereof, light sensitive means for testing said eiiiuent to measure the opacity thus produced, and a plurality of relays in said circuit operable in response to the electrical output of said testing means corresponding to different opacities.

ARTHURL RICHI.

REFERENCES CITED Thefollowing references are of record-in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,713,105 Tannehill May 14, 1929 1,661,675 Norquist Mar. 8, 1928 1,931,988 Sweeney et al Oct. 24, 1938 1,954,405 Dotterweich Apr. 10, 1984 2,338,667 Riche Jan. 4, 1944 9,253,049 Riche Aug. 19, 1941 1,903,957 Clark Apr. 18, 1988 

